Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, once seen as a strong contender for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Barack Obamain the November 2012 election, dropped out a day after a disappointing showing in Iowa’s straw poll.

Some experts felt Romney might benefit most from the departure of Pawlenty — neither of whom are favorites of the conservative Tea Party movement that likes Bachmann and Perry.

Pawlenty touted a record of balancing the budget, cutting spending and down-sizing government in Minnesota, but his “nice guy” image failed to gain traction after entering the race in May, particularly among Republican conservatives.

Pawlenty had been seen as a candidate who could attract vital support from independent voters wary of more conservative candidates in a general election against Obama.